Manchester United’s under-18s side have won two trophies already this season and many of the players will step up in 2024/25.
Ethan Wheatley struck two goals to fire Manchester United’s under-18s to a Premier League Cup win last week over Manchester City.
Wheatley made his first team debut days later, continuing a long line of academy players to make the first team breakthrough.
This is Wheatley’s final season with the under-21s, likewise players including Jack Kingdon and Louis Jackson, and at the weekend, with the league already won, Manchester United fielded a much younger team against Sunderland.
Manchester United’s most recent under-18s game
Manchester United fielded a team akin to the under-16s side which began the season, with many of these players expected to step up next season.
After taking an early lead against Sunderland through Bendito Mantato, Manchester United went on to lose to match 3-1. It was just the second league defeat for the 18s all season.
The result was not important, with the title already wrapped up. This was about giving opportunities to a new batch of young prospects.
Manchester United’s next set of under-18s stars
Below is a look at some of the names who featured alongside Mantato in the squad, who will be players to watch in 2024/25 and beyond.
Will Murdock
- Goalkeeper
- DOB: 26/5/2007
- Northern Ireland under-17 international
- Made his United under-18s debut v Sunderland
Albert Mills
- Centre-back
- DOB: 8/2/2008
- Made his United under-18s debut
Daniel Armer (pictured top)
- Centre-back
- DOB: 22/10/2007
- Has made five under-18 appearances
- Already made his under-21s debut
- His brother Jack Armer, 23, plays for Carlisle United
Dante Plunkett
- Left-back
- Was part of Aston Villa’s academy and has recently been on trial at Manchester United.
- First official under-18s game for United, was previously on the bench.
Jim Thwaites (pictured above)
- Attacking midfielder
- DOB: 20/12/2007
- Now has eight under-18 appearances and scored one, weekend game was his first start
- Has featured twice at under-21 level
Godwill Kukonki
- Centre-back
- DOB: 6/2/2008
- Third under-18 appearance
Neitan Barbosa
- Winger
- DOB: 6/12/2008
- Portuguese
- Unused substitute, awaiting under-18s debut